TERM FOUR

Week 4

Fri 30 Oct Socktober Crazy Sock Day

Week 5

Wed 4 Nov

Prep Transition Day

Yr 4-6 Field Events

Week 6

Tues 10 Nov Senior Athletics Carnival

Wed 11 Nov Remembrance Day Prep Transition Day

Thurs 12 Nov Junior Athletics Carnival

Week 7

Wed 18 Nov Prep Transition Day

Week 8

Wed 25 Nov Prep Information Evening at

6pm Thurs 26 Nov

Prep Orientation Day

SFX SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES 2020

Mercy Charism, Writing, Problem Solving, Wellbeing and Partnerships

Dear Parents/Carers,

The SFX Facebook Page

As most of you will know, the school has a Facebook page which is

used to

• Disseminate information to parents, and at times, the wider

community

• Share photos/information about school events and or class

activities

• Remind parents of upcoming events.

We would also like to thank the parents who are constantly writing

positive comments about the variety of posts. However, we do have

one request.

Please do not ask questions with the expectation that one of the

staff or another parent will be able to answer in the comments

section.

We have found that sometimes, incorrect information has been given

and this has resulted in confusion for others. If you are unsure about

the information contained in the post, we ask that you contact the

school office on 49511861 or email the appropriate staff member or

your classroom teacher, who will then forward your email on, if they

are unable to answer the question.

We are grateful to the many parents who use our Facebook page to

congratulate students for achievements and/or thank staff members.

We ask that you do not use our Facebook page to vent your

disapproval of school decisions or make comments which may be

considered as negative feedback. We are very happy to hear your

thoughts, ideas and feedback, as we wish to be the best we can be,

we simply ask that you do so in the form of a letter, email or phone

call, not by using a public forum, such as social media.

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend,

Mary Oxenham

FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2020

WEEK 3

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND GOALS 2020/2022

1. Catholic Identity and Ethos 2. Effective Teaching and Learning

(NSIT Domains 2,5,6,7,8)

1.1 To embed and align Catholic Social

Teaching and the Mercy charism throughout

the Curriculum and the Teaching and Learning

Framework.

Goal: To educate our school community on who the founders of

our school are and what values they have imparted.

2.1 That our school has a culture of data

informed practice where every student is

engaged and learning successfully in their own

ways.

Goal: To embed 6 + 1 Writing Traits to improve

student writing. To plan and deliver deep learning

opportunities in Mathematics enabling students to

become proficient in problem solving strategies and terminology.

3. Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

(NSIT Domain 3)

4. Leadership, Partnerships and

Resourcing

(NSIT Domains 1,4,9)

3.1 Based on the Diocesan Wellbeing

Framework implement a student wellbeing

program that focuses on each child being

the best version of themselves.

Goal: To identify and enhance the well-being of students through

the introduction of the BE YOU program (which is under the

umbrella of the Diocesan Wellbeing Framework) to the school

community.

4.1 To enhance and develop parent and

community partnerships to improve student

learning.

Goal: To educate parents, teachers and students on our school

priorities and annual goals.

Assistant Principal Religion Education

Amanda Griffin

ST FRANCIS FEAST DAY

Yesterday we were able to celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier with a Mass. It was wonder-

ful to be able to have Father Don celebrate this occasion with us As a Catholic School, it is im-

portant for us to celebrate Eucharist as we become one body in Christ. By participating in Mass

students can learn about reverence and respect.

Francis Xavier was made a saint by Pope Gregory xv in 1622. He was chosen to be the patron

Saint of our school because, at the time the school was established, he was the saint who had

travelled closest to Australia. St Francis had been to the Moluccas Islands, which are west of Pa-

pua New Guinea. When we look at our school history, we find our patron saint was a man who

spent his life preaching to people around the world about the goodness of our God.

PARISH MASS - BOOKING INFORMATION

Link for weekend Mass bookings; https://www.trybooking.com/BKACF

Booking availability commence 9am on the Monday previous.

If you are unable to book on line please phone your respective Parish

on the phone numbers listed below.

For St Patrick’s, St Francis Xavier, St Mary’s and St Michael’s 0460 423 603 or 4957 4807 from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

MASS TIMES

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton website http://rok.catholic.net.au/

Includes updates from Bishop Michael; the diocesan response to COVID 19; prayers and faith

resources; useful links and lots of other information regarding our diocese. Join Bishop Michael

for daily mass via the link above. Pentecost Pilgrimage www.pentecostpilgrimage.com

It is a series of talks, prayers and opportunities to chat with speakers from all around the world

engaged and sharing in the journey to Pentecost - a time when the disciples were unsure and

https://www.trybooking.com/BKACFhttp://rok.catholic.net.au/http://www.pentecostpilgrimage.com

Assistant Principal Curriculum

Jodie Benfer

BOOKLISTS ~ 2021

https://mackayschoolsupplies.com.au Booklists have been handed out to students earlier this week. Book packs may be ordered online as per instructions outlined on the front page of the booklists. Purchasing book list requirements through the school, ensures that your child will have the correct items and material. If you wish to utilise this year’s book pack service, you may either order online or use the hard copy handed out to the students. All orders need to be placed by Monday 26th October. Collection of book packs will happen in Week 9 TBA. 2021 Prep Book Packs will be available on the Parent Information Night and Orientation Day. Further details on collection procedures will be outlined in a newsletter closer to the collection date.

Teachers have prepared this list of basic requirements needed by your child to begin the new school year.

Purchasing Booklist requirements through the school ensures that your child will have the correct items

and material. Our school receives commission on sales, which is put to good use purchasing equipment

for the students.

What to do with this list…

If you choose to order on-line the following instructions will guide you through the process.

Enter https://mackayschoolsupplies.com.au

1. Scroll and select St Francis Xavier

2. This will bring up all the booklists for each year level. Click on the

appropriate Year level for 2021

3. Select the items you wish to order.

4. You will need to ZERO any items that you DON’T wish to purchase.

Proceed to checkout - payment methods include Visa or MasterCard, Layby.

If you choose to use the traditional paper method, a collection box in the office will be available.

• Please select the items you wish to purchase.

• Please complete your order form carefully and keep a copy as a record of what you have ordered.

• Unless indicated, please ensure your child’s name is clearly marked on all items.

• Payment methods include cash, cheques made payable to Mackay School Supplies, Visa or

MasterCard.

IF PAYING CASH PLEASE ENSURE EXACT MONEY IS ENCLOSED, NO CHANGE WILL BE

GIVEN.

All orders to be delivered to the school must be submitted online or to the school by MONDAY 26

th October. If you order after this date you will need to

collect your book pack from the Mackay School Supplies Shed.

https://mackayschoolsupplies.com.auhttps://mackayschoolsupplies.com.au

SCHOOL PEDAGOGICAL MODEL

All schools in the Diocese of Rockhampton are working to document our pedagogical model. ‘Pedagogy’ is often referred to as the art and science of teaching – how teachers ‘teach.’ Our staff have been hard at work looking at aspects of this, and we have completed one section, which is the ‘Links to our vision and mission’ section. This is ensuring that our teaching aligns with our key statements, our vision and our mission. As parents, you are essential partners in your child’s education, and so this is of importance to not only our teaching staff, but also to each of you as part of our St Francis community.

St Francis Xavier provides a relevant education. We are learner-centred:

• integrating our Catholic faith with contemporary culture;

• delivering authentic, meaningful and connected learning opportunities; and

• exploring local, regional and global knowledge and issues of importance for our learners.

St Francis Xavier provides a holistic education.

We are caring and transformative:

• developing the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, imaginative and creative capacities of our learners; and

• partnering with parents, families and the community to bring forth the potentialities of the learners in our care.

St Francis Xavier provides a quality education.

We are communities of thinking and learning:

• responding to individual and group learning needs through the use of high-impact teaching strategies and digital tools;

• setting high expectations for each learner and actively engaging learners in the learning process; and

• preparing learners for a life beyond the classroom, filled with purpose and hope.

REEF GUARDIAN NEWS

This week we have been participating in the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count. The Reef

Guardian members have registered, and we have been counting birds around the school and

collecting the data for Birdlife Australia. The team have spotted, Ibis, Magpie – Lark, Plumed

Whistling Duck, Sparrow, Swallow, Plover, Blue-Eyed Honey Eater, Magpie and Rainbow Lor-

ikeets. Great spotting bird watchers!

Visit: https://www.birdlife.org.au/

From Mrs Carney

and the Reef Guardian Team

2020 ANZAC CARE PACKAGES

FOR OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS – Take 2

We will still be collecting donations for ANZAC Packages in Week 4.

• The students are asked to bring in a non-perishable food item for the package.

• Please keep in mind that the box is not to exceed 2KG, otherwise we have to pay for the

postage and this can be very expensive.

• Examples of appropriate items include; lollies, biscuits, muesli bars, chips, coffee sachets,

chewing-gum and tic-tacs. The best way to donate these items is to purchase a multiple

pack and we can then share them amongst the many boxes we have to fill.

• Any jars, for example peanut butter or vegemite, should not exceed 120 grams in weight.

• A note or two of thanks from the students is always appreciated, as are the drawings our

little ones contribute.

We will be sending the packages off at the end of the term. Thank you again for your support, we

know that those who receive a package are always very appreciative and we have received

many letters of thanks from grateful service men and women.

Helena Reitano – Year 3 Teacher

Also the G5 Reef Guardian Group have started creating bird nests this week using wire to

shape the body of the nest and the hanger/hook. Next week, thick knitting wool will be sewn in

through the wire and intertwined around the shape of the nest to make it soft and enticing for

the birds.

If anyone has old scraps of thick knitting wool that they don’t mind throwing this way, it would

be very gratefully received o this end! Please leave it in the office in a bag for Mrs Mully.

Thank you

Mrs Mully

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK